Rajasthan Passes Bill Increasing OBC Quota To 26%, Now Reservation In The State Stands At 54%

On 26 October, the Rajasthan Assembly passed a bill that has increased the OBC reservation from 21% in the state to 26%. The community includes Gujjars and four other castes.

This bill was tabled during the monsoon session of the assembly amidst the widespread protests staged by the Gujjar community who were demanding reservation under the Backward Classes. There have been multiple protests across Rajasthan demanding reservation over the past few years.

Rajasthan now has an OBC reservation of 54% which defies the Supreme Court directions of 50%.

The Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions in the State and Appointment and Posts in Services under the State) Bill, 2017, seeks to provide 5 per cent reservation to the five “most backward” OBC communities: Banjara, Gadiya Lohar, Gujjar, Raika and Gadariya castes.

Gujjar agitation- a look back

The protests started in May 2008 because the police had opened fire on a person belonging to Gujjar caste – he was demanding a higher Scheduled Tribe status to their current OBC (Other Backward Class) status.

Violence ensued as the protesters lynched a policeman in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. The police shot at the protesters as they were vandalising public property. At least 15 were killed on the spot. Around 72 Gujjars have so far died in the quota agitation.

The Indian Army was called to tackle the situation – railways; roads were blocked by the protestors. Vexed with the government for not meeting their demand of a 5% quota for government jobs, Gujjars decided to go back to protests in 2010. They jammed trains on the Jaipur-Delhi and Mumbai-Delhi routes, but there was no violence like the previous time.

In May 2015, again a protest was organised by the Gujjars and over thousands blocked railway tracks halting train traffic.

The government’s appeasement

The Rajasthan government’s Special Backward Class Act, 2015 intended to provide 5% reservation to these castes and 14% to Economically Backward Class (EBC) which amounted to over 50% reservation.

But the Rajasthan High Court had struck down that bill pointing out flaws in the government’s manner to provide reservation. Rajasthan faces elections in a little over a year from now.

The government then put these castes back into the OBC list instead of the Special Backward Class group.

A similar incident had taken place in 2008 when the Vasundhara Raje government had come under the pressure of Gujjars agitation in Rajasthan and granted 5 per cent reservation to Gujjars as part of Special Backward Classes, and another 14 per cent to Economically Backward Classes.

However, it was stayed by the high court in 2009 when the succeeding Ashok Gehlot government tried to implement it.

There is an opposition of the bill even from BJP leaders questioning its validity. BJP MLA Prahlad Gunjal said to The Indian Express, “I have been an MLA whenever the Bill (for reservation to Gujjars and other castes) was passed by this House, but it is unfortunate that we have not been able to ensure justice to these castes. This time, the Bill is merely an eyewash.” He said there was no need to bring a Bill as reservation could have been extended by issuing a notification.

Under the new arrangement, there will be no SBC quota, just OBC and ‘Most OBC’ categories.

The government sources have reportedly told The Times of India that the increase in the OBC quota is in proportion to the rise of the OBC population in the state. Other states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha also have more than 50 percent quota.

Rajasthan Govt’s Bill To Increase OBC Quota Put On Hold By SC

Partner Story

Even at 76, Pradip Burman, the zestful chairman of Mobius Foundation radiates a contagious enthusiasm when he is talking about sustainability. The environmental crusader, better known to many as the great-grandson of Dabur founder Dr S.K.Burman, has devoted substantial attention towards promoting the concept of sustainability in all aspects of life. He refuses to conform to the convenience and comfort in today’s world which ultimately adds on to the adverse effects of climate change.

Talking to The Logical Indian, Burman emphasised why sustainability as a concept is indispensable for us. “We ought to be aware of what lies ahead of us. Soon we will finish the oil, iron, tin, and coal, and our next generations will be left with nothing. Recycling, banning plastics, stop felling trees for paper… This should become a part of everyone’s lifestyle,” he urges.

Mr Burman watering a sapling at the tree plantation drive organised by his non-profit Mobius Foundation

Traditional wisdom and modern research

A mechanical engineer from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, Burman had always nurtured a keen interest in helping the society, as evident from his graduation project of designing a sonic aid for the visually challenged, which detected obstacles in the way using ultrasonic wave signals.

As an executive for the nature-centric company Dabur, Burman has always opted for natural alternatives to solve his everyday problems like taking Ayurvedic medicine to cure his Arthritis. He later launched the veterinary wing for Dabur – Ayurvet – which provides nature-friendly solutions for animal health care.

A patron of the ancient scientific wisdom of India, Burman always hailed the confluence of “traditional knowledge and modern research”, which he advocated as the Ayurvet motto.

Ayurvet is one of the best ventures by Mr Burman

As part of the CSR initiative of Dabur, Pradip Burman founded SUNDESH (Sustainable Development Society) which has been tirelessly working for last 25 years in remote villages for uplifting the rural communities in an environmentally sustainable way.

An advocate of sustainability

Burman believes that sustainability is the indispensable mantra for the world at present. Due to uncontrolled utilisation of the planet’s resources by human beings, the world today stands at a juncture of destabilisation. Today the human race has reached the pinnacle of progress but the advancement is happening in a very unsustainable manner.

Through energy-efficient use of everyday essentials like transport, communication, altered habits of diet, clothing and daily living, some crusaders of sustainability try to reduce their carbon footprint. Pradip Burman’s Mobius Foundation is one of the forerunners toward sustainability goals.

Mobius Foundation aims to change the sustainability dynamics

In 2015, Burman paved the way for the start of Mobius Foundation, focused on sustainability. Named after 18th-century German mathematician August Ferdinand Mobius, the famous Mobius strip has an important philosophical significance. The extraordinary shape symbolises balance and union.

Similar is the essence of Mobius Foundation which wishes to enhance the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” principle to a widespread basis in India, helping generations to come.

Founder Pradip Burman wishes to achieve notable development in education, population stabilisation and renewable energy projects.

A dream school in the making

At Coorg, Pradip Burman’s Mobius Foundation is constructing the World Environment School, Coorg (WESc) where the curriculum will surpass the boundaries of books and classrooms, with a special focus on hands-on learning in close collaboration with the environment. Amidst the pristine natural beauty of Coorg, the school will nurture young minds to grow up into future green leaders. As of now, the school will be open to teenagers, welcoming students from standards 6 to 12.

Needless to say, World Environment School will be the first-of-its-kind not only in India but also in entire South Asia. The school is expected to start from March 2020.

The school promises to nurture the responsible behaviour of citizens of our future.

The Sustainability Conference of 2019

In 2019, the Mobius Foundation has planned an international conference, on the lines of the celebrated earth summits over the past decade. The 2019 International Conference on Sustainability Education (ICSE 2019) aims to bring together environmental activists, practitioners of sustainable development as well as climate change experts to help develop a sustainability-focused curriculum.

It is surmised that the conference will give a platform to innovative concepts of Sustainability Education including an essential change in the existing education system ensuring a wholesome personal development for a student.

The Sustainability crusader

The Mobius founder strongly believes that it is high time to sprout sustainability awareness among a society drowning in consumerism and unknowingly doing irreparable harm to the planet, every second. The best way to achieve this goal is through education which is available to all. At present, the education system is predominantly career-oriented, making the learners a victim of materialism, and thus, their dreams are also outlined in those colours.

Living beyond the limits

When asked about his wish to attain the age of hundred, he strongly asserts that more than becoming a centurion, he wishes his life and work continue to better the society even in his absence. “I have lived my life. I wish that whatever I start before I go, will continue – for the betterment of my country,” says Mr Pradip Burman.

He is also a trustee of the Climate Reality Project – India (affiliated to Mr. Al Gore of the Climate Reality Project Foundation, USA). Climate Reality Project, India, has been actively engaged igniting the spark and spreading the message of climate change amongst educators, policy makers and civil society. The India branch looks after more than 500 trained Climate Leaders, and more than 900 volunteers spread all over the country.

In his journey, Pradip Burman has been a beacon of hope for millions, motivating many to join the movement for sustainability. We wish he continues his tireless efforts for promoting sustainability awareness and inspire generations to come.